It is an unsurprising vote for both Amash, of Cascade Township, and Huizenga, of Zeeland. Both are well-known for their anti-abortion views, and both were cosponsors on the bill.

Still, the vote is significant because it is perceived to be a political move ahead of the 2014 midterm elections. The Associated Press also reported Republicans hope the push forces the Supreme Court to reconsider the federal legality of abortions.

Multiple media reports also have indicated the proposed change is meant to channel disgust over a Philadelphia doctor recently convicted of killing newborn children in his clinic.

The legislation, called the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, would ban abortions earlier than allowed under the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973.

That ruling permitted abortions up to roughly 24 weeks of gestation. Proponents of the bill contend children can feel pain by 20 weeks.

Critics point to research that concludes otherwise, and argue the bill infringes on a woman's constitutional rights.

Amash spokesman Will Adams echoed the talking point that fetuses can feel pain during the timeline proscribed by the bill.

"Justin's pro-life," Adams said. "He believes that abortion's wrong, and this bill targets abortions when the child is known to feel pain.

"We believe it's a cruel and awful procedure that should be against the law."

In a statement, Huizenga contended that "extensive medical research has shown that unborn children at 20 weeks are able to feel pain."

"It is past time we stand up and end the barbaric practice of late-term abortion," Huizenga said. "I strongly believe in the sanctity of life and that unborn children at any stage of development are granted the right to life."

Back in the congressmen's districts, Democrats blasted their support for the bill.

One such law in Arizona, for example, recently was overturned in federal court.

"Instead of casting these purely symbolic and ultimately unconstitutional votes, Congressman Huizenga might be better advised to help work to minimize the overall need for abortion through unintended pregnancies by expanding access to contraception and education and support maternal and child health provisions already in place," Zylstra said, "measures that a vast majority of Americans support and would be less divisive and more productive than the path he is currently on."